“I Wiped Him Out…”: Baseball Legend Barry Bonds Once Made a Controversial Babe Ruth Statement While Chasing the Home Run Record

Barry Bonds is a controversial yet important name in baseball history. The sheer impact that he had on baseball cannot be overstated, with his power-hitting defining an era. But his PED usage has also earned him hate and a stained reputation. During his career, he was extremely competitive and, according to hundreds of teammates and even media people, had a horrid disposition. He once made an extremely controversial statement about a baseball icon. 

This happened when he had reached the 600s in terms of home runs and was chasing the ultimate record. While answering a question about reaching Hank Aaron’s then-record 755 home runs, he slighted the baseball icon, Babe Ruth.

Barry Bonds made a controversial Babe Ruth statement in 2003

In 2003, Barry Bonds showed a lighter side of his nature, as his beloved father was battling cancer. But the San Francisco Giants star maintained his reportedly monstrous disposition at times. This was noted by sports writer John Bloom, in his book, “BARRY BONDS: A Biography.” Bloom recounted a story of how Bonds completely disregarded Babe Ruth’s achievements while answering a question about breaking Hank Aaron’s home run record. The Giants star said that he only cared about passing Ruth and wiping him out as a left-handed hitter. Bonds said this during the All-Star break in July 2003. 

According to Bloom, Bonds said, “The only number I’ll care about is Babe Ruth’s. That’s it—715. Because (that would mean) as a left-handed hitter, I wiped him out. That’s it. And to the baseball world, Babe Ruth is Baseball, am I right? I got his slugging percentage and I’ll take his home runs and that’s it. Don’t talk about him no more.” 

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He completely disregarded the enormous impact that Ruth had on the game as a player. Furthermore, he paid the two-way icon no respect. It was a peek into the part of his true character that dominated whatever niceness lay beneath. But the Giants star definitely had a soft spot for his father. 

Bonds played for the Giants because of his father!

Barry Bonds signed with the San Francisco Giants on December 6th, 1992. He signed a 6-year $43.75 million then record-breaking deal. But there was another reason to go to San Francisco. His father, Bobby Bonds, had played for the team during his MLB career. Furthermore, Barry’s godfather Willie Mays had also played for the Giants at one point. This led to the home run king developing a fondness for San Francisco and the Giants. It led to one of the most legendary stints in baseball history, but Barry downplayed his impact on the franchise.

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Barry Bonds was an unpredictable character during his career and had some truly controversial moments. This comment on wiping out Babe Ruth will be among his most divisive. What do you think about the incident?